Building Better Relationships: Between Private Refugee Sponsors and Sponsorship Agreement Holder Organizations [A Survey Report: Spring 2025]

At the release of PRSN’s Spring 2025 survey report, “Building Better Relationships,” author William Croson highlights how strengthening collaboration between private refugee sponsors and Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) organizations remains central to the success of Canada’s sponsorship model. Drawing on insights from both sponsors and SAHs, the report reflects a system that is largely effective, yet navigating familiar pressures: uneven communication, gaps in training, and limited access to resources. Still, within these challenges, the findings point to practical and hopeful pathways forward: mentorship between experienced and new sponsors, more equitable and standardized training, and stronger feedback mechanisms that centre continuous improvement. At a time when Canada’s broader immigration landscape is shifting, the report underscores that successful sponsorship depends not only on structures and policies but on sustained collaboration, shared responsibility, and the relationships that enable communities to support newcomers with care and consistency.